Module 37: Motivation Concepts

Question 1

Motivation

Answer 1

A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior

Question 2

How is motivation pushed or pulled from us?

Answer 2

Our motivations arise from the interplay between nature (the bodily “push”) and nurture (the “pull” from our personal experiences, thoughts, and culture).
*Our Motives drive our behavior

Question 3

Instinct Theory

Answer 3

• our instincts as the source of our motivations
• states that the motivation to survive is the most important motivation and the innate behaviors that aid survival drive our motivations
• sounds quite a lot like evolutionary theory

Question 4

Drive-Reduction Theory

Answer 4

The idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need

The idea that a physiological need creates an aroused state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need and restore the body to homeostasis, or balance

Question 5

Instinct

Answer 5

A complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned
ex. imprinting in birds, return of salmon in birthplace, infants’ innate reflexes

Question 6

How do physiological needs create a drive?

Answer 6

Physiological needs (such as for food or water) create an aroused, motivated states - a drive (such as hunger or thirst)- that pushes us to behave in a way that reduces the need and returns the body to hemostasis

Question 7

Homeostatis

Answer 7

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

Question 8

How does drive reduction theory explain how we regulate our body temperature?

Answer 8

Our body regulates its temperature similar to a thermostat
- feedback loops: our body’s temperature cools, our blood vessels constrict to conserve warmth, and we feel driven to put on more clothes or seek a warmer environment

Question 9

How is behavior pulled by incentives?

Answer 9

Not only are we pushed by our need to reduce physiological drives, we also are pulled by incentives - positive or negative environmental stimuli that lure or repel us

Question 10

Can one behavior be both pushed and pulled?

Answer 10

When there is both a biological need and an incentive, we feel strongly driven
Ex. food-deprived person smells pizza baking strong hunger drive and baking pizza may become a compelling incentive

Question 11

Can curiosity be a motive?

Answer 11

Curiosity drives monkey to monkey around trying to figure out how to unlock a latch that opens nothing (Harlow)

• just wanting to understand and figure it out nothing else (no reward

Question 12

How do humans seek optimal levels of arousal?

Answer 12

• having all our biological needs satisfied, we feel driven to experience stimulation
• lacking stimulation we feel bored and look for a way to increase arousal
• too much stimulation or stress we look for a way to decrease it

Question 13

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Answer 13

The relationship of arousal to performance a

- moderate arousal leads to optimal performance

Question 14

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Answer 14

The principle that performance increase with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases.

The relationship of arousal to performance a
- moderate arousal leads to optimal performance

Question 15

Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Motivation

Answer 15

Theorized that human needs are hierarchical - some have priority over others
Hierarchy of Needs

Question 16

Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 16

Begins at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher level safety needs and then psychological needs are addressed

Question 17

Hierarchy of Needs levels

Answer 17

Physiological needs, safety needs, belonging & love needs, esteem needs, self actualization needs, Self transcendence (add later)

Question 18

Hierarchy of Needs levels

Answer 18

Maslow’s pyramid of human needs beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher-level safety needs and then psychological needs become active

Physiological needs, safety needs, belonging & love needs, esteem needs, self actualization needs, Self transcendence (add later)

Question 19

Is the order of Maslow’s Hierarchy fixed?

Answer 19

The hierarchy is not universally fixed

• people have starved themselves (Ex. for political statements)
• culture also influences our priorities: self-esteem matters most in individualist nations, whose citizens tend to focus more on personal achievements than on family and community identity

Question 20

Incentive

Answer 20

A positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior